Today’s post is dedicated to Team in Training, a program that I joined a few years ago with a great friend to get fit, have fun, raise funds for an extremely worthy cause, and go on a fully funded trip to San Francisco to run the Nike Women Half Marathon! I am by no means an athlete (my husband rolls his eyes when I call our family walks “hikes”), and the longest race I’d ever completed before was only 5km, so the fact that I signed up with Team in Training, actually did the training and fundraising, made it to San Francisco and crossed the half marathon finish line (21km!!), demonstrates the power of this program. I have to admit that the lure of the trip to San Francisco and the Tiffany necklaces handed out to all participants at the finish line were what got me hooked on the idea in the first place, but I can’t express in words the much bigger effect the whole experience had on my self confidence, physical well-being, and sense of community.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s Team In Training program is proudly celebrating its 25th Anniversary. It began in 1988 when Bruce Cleland assembled a team for the New York City Marathon to raise money in honour of his 3 year-old daughter, Georgia, who was going through treatment for leukemia. That year, 38 runners raised $322,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 25 years, $1.3 billion and 570,000 participants later, Team In Training remains the original and most influential endurance training program for charity in the world. Funds raised have powered research for cutting edge treatments and cures. Here’s an example of the difference LLSC has made in the lives of patients: Watch Eva’s Story and know that you, too, can help save lives. With the support of teammates, mentors, and certified coaches, Team In Training will ensure you cross the finish line with a huge sense of accomplishment. Runners, walkers, cyclists and triathletes of all athletic abilities achieve their goals with Team In Training. Their certified coaches will provide weekly in-person training and will host clinics on such topics as nutrition, hydration and injury prevention. As a big thank you for your fundraising efforts, Team In Training provides race entry, travel (where applicable), accommodation, an Inspiration Dinner the night before the race, your race jersey and full fundraising support.
To find out for yourself the life-changing experience of being part of Team In Training, register for the upcoming season for one of these events:
- Berlin Marathon (Berlin, Germany, September 1st)
- Vancouver Triathlon (Vancouver, BC, September 2nd)
- RBC GranFondo Whistler (Vancouver to Whistler, September 7th)
- Nike Women San Francisco Marathon & 1/2 Marathon (San Francisco, CA, October 20th)
If you’d like to find out how you can do your part to help find cures for blood cancers, while you do something amazing for yourself, visit www.TeamInTraining.ca/bc or call Alison, Chris or Zahida at Team In Training (604-733-2873 ext. 5212) for more details and to RSVP to one of their special preview parties.
Training starts May 25th in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and through Team in Training’s online Flex program (which is a particularly convenient for busy moms on the go!). And if enough North Shore folks express an interest, we’ve been told that Team in Training will happily provide coaches for special weekly training sessions on the North Shore!
